It was an excessively polite attitude. Unlike me, who was smiling awkwardly with raised lips, Maxium was very serious.

“Lady Latieana is the real Great Saint.”

I know.

“Ivy, I will take responsibility for confirming that woman is a fake! Once we bring her down, you will no longer face any threats. The temple will take responsibility for protecting you. Or if we go right now and show this…”

Maxium seemed to have misunderstood that I would go to the temple. It was a natural thought from his perspective, but I shook my head.

“Maxium.”

“Yes.”

“I’m not going to the temple.”

“…Pardon?”

As if struck by lightning, Maxium’s eyes lost focus like a fool. He seemed unable to understand.

The position of Great Saint is the highest in the Empire.

It was also a position where one could do anything they wanted, after the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince.

A position where, though no power is given, one could have everything if desired. A position envied by nobles, where one could have both wealth and honor.

If only they heal the ability users, that is.

“B-but… why? Lady Latieana is the real one, is she not? I’m certain. That woman is not the Saint. It’s true I doubted Lady Latieana a bit, but I just realized for sure. Such a bright light can only be the healing power of the Great Saint.”

“I know. Me too.”

“Then…”

I know better than anyone that the healing power I possess is real.

I turned my head to look at Edan.

Edan was quietly staring at me.

As if waiting to see what I would say, how I would act.

“Maxium, I cannot give such healing to others like I did for Ivy.”

Maxium’s pupils shook rapidly.

Like someone who had heard an unexpected answer.

“Making potions would be fine, but direct healing makes me feel so terribly nauseous just thinking about it.”

Maxium frowned as if in deep thought. Though he tried, he still seemed unable to understand. It made sense, since until now, the Great Saints had done such things as a matter of course.

“B-but we can’t keep letting that woman have the Great Saint position. At this rate, she might turn all the Saint candidates into mummies…”

“I know.”

“I understand you don’t want to go because healing is difficult. But once it’s revealed that woman is fake and the temple learns of Lady Latieana’s identity, they absolutely won’t leave you alone. They’ll find a way to make you come to the temple no matter what.”

Maxium was truly worried about me. He seemed to have mixed feelings.

The desire for me to fulfill my duty as Great Saint, and the wish for me not to go to the temple if I didn’t want to.

That complex state of mind was clearly visible on his face.

“Thank you for worrying about me, Maxium. That’s why I’ll find a way.”

“A way?”

“A way to not have to go to the temple.”

“There is no such way.”

“No. There must be.”

Ivy also used eternal magic to steal my power. She just used it differently.

So there must surely be a solution for me too.

I took in the archmage’s secret space, bit by bit.

The greatest archmage of the Empire. The magic books he had secretly hidden away.

With so many types of magic here, there’s no way there isn’t a method.

I’ll find it.

A way to heal ability users without me having to go to the temple.

That way…

Edan won’t go mad if I stay by his side.

We can both live.

We left the secret space after grabbing only a few books that seemed immediately necessary.

When we were coming out, Ruben touched another bookshelf and found a different entrance.

It was an entrance where we had to bend down to get out, connected to an unused fireplace in the reception room.

“Oh?”

It seemed there was more than one entrance.

When I approached using the exit we had just come through, it connected directly to the secret space.

“This was the real entrance.”

It seems the archmage used this route, but I had opened the most difficult entrance.

Anyway, we managed to survive and found the books we wanted, so that was resolved for now.

After Maxium and Ruben left, only Edan and I remained in the mansion.

While I was putting away the books, Edan was standing by the window, bathed in the pouring moonlight.

He held a glass vial in his hand.

A vial containing a single round blue pill.

Did he bring it from the archmage’s secret space?

Edan stood still for a long time with a serious face.

I couldn’t help but stare at him as he gazed intently at the vial.

Then suddenly, Edan tore off the memo with the contents’ name written on it. And as if afraid someone might read it, he shredded it into unrecognizable pieces.

What on earth was it?

The corners of his mouth turned up slightly beneath his straight nose bridge. Edan opened the vial and tipped the pill directly into his mouth.

Good heavens! Is it okay to carelessly eat something unknown like that?

All the ingredients there were strange ones. There’s no way there was anything normal.

“Edan!”

Gulp, Edan swallowed the pill deeply down his throat and turned to look at me.

“Lati.”

A bright smile was directed at me.

“Come here.”

I approached Edan without hesitation.

Our gazes intertwined, deeply delving into each other.

“What did you swallow?”

“A pill to become smarter.”

“There was such a thing?”

“There was.”

I stared intently at Edan as he gently stroked my hair.

Again, it feels natural. Even though he’s touching me so carelessly, far from feeling averse, my heart feels warm.

The dazzling moonlight, cold enough to give chills, softly settled along Edan’s golden hair, cheeks, and neckline.

“Aren’t you sleepy?”

A languid yet affectionate voice.

“Shall we sleep together?”

Edan smiled gently, playfully squinting his eyes.

More slowly than usual – Edan, who had never hesitated before, was a bit strange. Today, as if pondering something, he lingered his fingertips on my fingers for a long time, hesitating.

Thumb and index finger, then slowly over the back of my hand. Then, when I didn’t refuse, he gradually entwined his fingers with mine.

The feeling of his fingers naturally interlocking and touching felt good. The moderately warm temperature too, all of it.

I wish this moment could last a little longer.

The moment that thought crossed my mind, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of my chest burning hot.

Ah…

I like Edan. I must like him. I like him.

As soon as I realized the undeniable feelings, my heart started beating fast. It felt like the whole world was resonating with the sound of my heartbeat.

I like this man. I like everything about him. I even like each and every strand of hair before my eyes.

I know that what Edan likes and needs is not me, but the healing power I possess.

I know well that all this seemingly affectionate gaze and touch is just to receive the healing power.

It’s disappointing, a bit scary, and my chest stings, but that can’t be helped.

I met Edan, and Edan protected me.

And I like Edan.

“Lati?”

When I didn’t answer, Edan tilted his head and leaned in close, bringing his face near.

A very faint scent of soap brushed my nose.

Without realizing, I raised my hand to touch his cheek, but then firmly grasped my skirt.

Now, no matter what happens, I can’t let Edan die.

So if Edan wants my healing power, if that’s why he’s obsessed with me, that’s okay with me too. I’ll stay by Edan’s side.

“Hey, Edan.”

“Hmm?”

“Can we hold hands while we sleep?”

Edan’s eyes widened slightly, then quickly settled.

“Do I look like the kind of gentleman who could do that?”

“You did before.”

“Don’t think I’ll let it slide just because you were sick that day.”

“If you don’t want to, we can sleep separately.”

I turned around abruptly, and Edan grabbed my arm.

“Lati.”

“Yes?”

I tried speaking a bit petulantly, and Edan let out a laugh as if he was really going to go mad now.

“Don’t do something you’ll regret later.”

“I won’t.”

“Soon you’ll be crying pinned underneath, and I absolutely won’t show mercy.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You’re being naughty.”

Yet Edan held my hand tightly.

He even indulged my childish sulking.

Gentleness and the scent of soap filled the air around me.

‘I’m glad I met Edan.’

I hoped that someday, if possible, Edan would like me for who I am, not just for my healing power.

That thought occurred to me.

The garden of the Ribedon Temple.

A maid approached Ivy, who was taking a stroll wearing a snow-white dress adorned with rare, multi-colored jewels.

“Lady Ivy, Duke Dante Ian has arrived.”

“Oh my. Please escort him here right away.”

Ivy waited for Dante at the garden pergola, smiling radiantly.

Not long after, Dante appeared, wearing a white cloth draped diagonally across his body.

Striding forward with long legs befitting his tall stature, Dante stopped a few steps in front of Ivy.

“I greet you, Great Saint.”

A gentle and soft tone emanating from his strong body. It seemed as if the warmth of the sun was even more tender around Dante.

Ivy’s lips curved up softly as she examined Dante’s tanned skin as he bowed his head.

She felt her mouth water every time she saw that toned body, attractive even with its scars.

As she always did, Ivy took a step forward and reached out to place her hand on Dante’s arm.

But unlike usual, Dante slightly retreated.

“I apologize. My physical condition is not good.”

Ivy looked at Dante quizzically, then prettily crinkled her eyes.

“Then you need my touch even more. I’ll give you my blessing.”

But Dante answered by stepping back again and quickly changed the subject.

“Rather, I’d like to forget about that proposal I mentioned last time.”

Ivy’s hand, which was once again reaching for his arm despite Dante’s intentions, stopped mid-air.